An Ilkeston councillor has said the recent attempted murder is the most shocking thing he has seen in more than a quarter of a century of serving the town.

Police are still trying to track down the man who raped and strangled a woman as she was walking along Queens Avenue in the early hours of November 26.

They have released an e-fit on the man they believe to be the culprit, while the victim has also recorded a video to help police with their appeal.

Councillor John Frudd, who has served Ilkeston for the last 26 years on Erewash Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council, said the attack was "very, very serious".

Mr Frudd, who now only represents the town on the county council, said: "This is absolutely terrible. This is not in a rough area, it's peaceful, and I cannot believe it because this is a residential street full of families.

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"To think somebody has been lurking around in our community and carried out this attack is awful. It's very, very serious. I have represented Ilkeston as a councillor for 26 years and this is the most shocking thing ever to have happened here.

Queen's Avenue in Ilkeston (Image: Google)

"It's shocked me to the core. The police are doing all they can but they will need the help of the public. I'd urge anybody to please go to them with any information you have. It does not matter how small or irrelevant, they will want to hear from anybody.

"We cannot have someone do this in our community and get away with it, they must be caught."

Police have released an image of a man they believe to be the attacker.

Officers have urged members of the public to look at the images to see if they recognise the person portrayed in them.